Su Chen speculated, reaching out to grasp one portion of the Power of Faith. An explanation surfaced on the Status Panel——
[Black Buddha Faith Essence: Faith Essence imbued with Heituo Divine Power.]
"Six portions. It does satisfy the Remnant Spirit's requirements, but this stuff is contaminated... It seems it can't use it." Su Chen frowned. He didn't know the specifics of how to perform Purification either.
He was just preparing to ask the Remnant Spirit when his heart suddenly stirred. "No, wait. I seem to be able to extract the Heituo Divine Power..."
Su Chen carefully comprehended it, mobilizing the power belonging to the High Priest of Black Buddha.
Sure enough, the Faith Essence before his eyes began to tremble continuously. Wisps of black fog were drawn out like spinning silk and submerged into his body, transforming into a portion of high-tier Black Buddha Power on his Status Panel.
"What's mixed in this Faith Essence is Divine Power. As long as I extract the Divine Power, it can be considered Purified. I can happen to use my identity as the High Priest of Black Buddha to indirectly Purify the essence by extracting the Divine Power."
Su Chen pinched the Faith Essence. It was as transparent as jade, emitting a faint Golden Light.
This was actually unexpected good news. He originally thought Purifying the Faith Essence would be a troublesome matter; he hadn't expected it to not only be simple.
Su Chen picked up the remaining essences one after another. Very quickly, he completely Purified the six portions of Faith Essence before him and put them away.
Turning around, Su Chen opened another box, inside which were placed five drops of Divine Blood.
"The quantity of Divine Blood isn't that much. To refine Qin Yun requires ten drops. But I can requisition a bit more from the Sect."
Su Chen also tucked it away. His gaze fell upon the final box, the crucial item that could initiate Falling Fire.
He was quite curious. Opening it to take a look, it turned out to be an extremely profound dark light.
He was currently still in his High Priest of Black Buddha state, so he could clearly feel a fatal attraction emanating from within, far stronger than what Divine Blood or Divine Power brought him.
Su Chen tentatively grasped it. Given his state as the High Priest of Black Buddha, this thing shouldn't pose a danger to him.
Who could have expected that the moment he grasped it, this thing would be yanked inside by an invisible force within his body.
He was very familiar with this feeling. Su Chen hurriedly opened his Status Panel. Sure enough, there was a new kind of material.
[Hei Tuo Source Power: Can prompt a Holy Class to find an opportunity for further Metamorphosis.]
"Hei Tuo Source Power?"
Su Chen was taken aback. He couldn't help but think of the Perfect-Grade Eldritch Source Power he had obtained from the Trial in the Flare Realm.
So it was this thing...
The description for Hei Tuo Source Power was roughly as he expected. Heituo Divine Power could allow his Primary Class to evolve, essences could allow Specialized Classes to undergo Metamorphosis, so Source Power could naturally allow Holy Classes to become even stronger.
"This is an unexpected harvest. It's probably the most core Primal Source of an Evil God. It can prompt a Holy Class to find an opportunity for further Metamorphosis..."
Having obtained a new material, Su Chen naturally wanted to see what its specific effects were. Just as he was pondering which Holy Class to use it on, text suddenly surfaced on his Status Panel—
[The World-Slaying Manifestation, seeing the Eternal Physique become stronger, felt displeased in its heart. It hopes this Eldritch God Source Power will be used on itself.]
World-Slaying Manifestation?
Su Chen was slightly stunned, secretly speechless. "The other party worked hard to improve itself. What are you getting displeased about?"
"Forget it. Since you want it, I'll let you use it."
Su Chen simply applied the Hei Tuo Source Power onto the World-Slaying Manifestation.
[The World-Slaying Manifestation was enveloped by the Hei Tuo Source Power, faintly becoming ferocious and terrifying. Its gaze shifted, landing upon the Holy Class "Sky-Scar Forger". Like a starving tiger pouncing on its prey, it darted forward and devoured the Sky-Scar Forger.]
Gone mad?
The World-Slaying Manifestation ate the Sky-Scar Forger?
Looking at the text description, Su Chen froze slightly. He originally thought the World-Slaying Manifestation might demand to devour several Professions, just like the Eternal Physique.
These two Holy Classes... Su Chen pondered briefly. It didn't seem entirely without reason.
The World-Slaying Manifestation wasn't a Holy Class purely adept in a single area. It gathered the Blood-Burner, Ravager, Sovereign Vajra, Weapon Lord, and other Professions. Among them, the Weapon Lord was intimately connected with Mystic Tools.
Having a connection to a forging-type Holy Class seemed justifiable as well.
Two Holy Classes merging into one. I wonder what kind of Transformation will occur... Su Chen looked at his Status Panel. It seemed unlikely that results would appear in a short time.
"This Hei Tuo Source Power truly is a good thing."
Su Chen rubbed his hands together, his eyes shining. Lao Hei, oh Lao Hei. If I don't fleece you big time this time, I'd be doing a disservice to the immense effort you spent lurking your way in here.
Su Chen didn't even go outside. He directly entered the Nether Realm and began praying to Black Buddha.
"...My Lord." Su Chen spoke immediately, even feeling as though he had called out with a measure of genuine emotion. He said, "I just received news that a group of our people were purged on Iron Rhino Star. The items you asked me to fetch have likely been seized by the Bronze Sect..."
After Bo Siqi took the goods, he immediately struck a lethal blow. It was impossible for that group of Believers of Black Buddha to transmit the news that the handover had been completed.
"Mhm, I already know." Black Buddha's voice was deep, its anger having already flared up long ago.
Su Chen wasn't surprised either. It took Old Bo some time to return. Black Buddha definitely learned the news earlier and might have already inquired around a bit.
But outside of the Bronze Core, truly no one gave Zhou Yunyang any face. Moreover, in places a bit further out like the Iron Rhino Star, it was perfectly normal for purged items to be privately detained. With the identity of Black Buddha's Advent Body, it was fundamentally impossible to dig up any information.
"Damn the Bronze Sect!" Su Chen's voice contained blazing anger. "The people I dispatched are still on the way. I must tear the perpetrators into ten thousand pieces!"
"No need!" Black Buddha rebuked. "Now is not the time to make a huge commotion."
"I have already arranged for another set to be delivered. Go pick it up at a different location."
As Black Buddha spoke, it also felt a degree of heartache. Divine Blood, Faith Essence, and Eldritch God Source Power; each and every one of them was extremely important to it, especially after having suffered Severe Injury.
"Yes!" Su Chen hurriedly replied, "I will definitely dispatch someone there as soon as possible."
After speaking, Su Chen didn't forget to demonstrate his own value to accumulate bargaining chips for the next failed handover. "Additionally, I just received news that Chu Lingyuan left the Sect because the Royal Court seems to possess some kind of Method to communicate with the Vast Sea Emperor and the Ancient Kings of the other Sects within the Flare."
"Oh?" Black Buddha was quite astonished. "To think they can still communicate... As expected, these guys won't be trapped to death so simply. You did well. Continue gathering intel..."
After finishing his chat with Lao Hei, Su Chen cheerfully exited the Nether Realm.
"Not bad, not bad. Sitting at home, and the delivery comes right to the door."
He thought to himself as he sent another message to Bo Siqi, who hadn't left long ago. Those who are able do more work; he found that Old Bo's psychological endurance seemed to be quite a bit higher than Ming Lin's.
"It will probably take a while for it to be delivered." Su Chen returned to his Training Room.
...
The Bronze Core, the Punishment Hall. At this moment, one of the Bronze Sect's only two remaining Morning Star Tier experts was currently incarcerated here.
In the deepest cell, Qin Yun sat cross-legged, bearing shackles. His face, resembling a withered ghost, was expressionless, his brow furrowed tightly—
"I didn't expect the Suppressing Hell King to actually be able to awaken."
He couldn't help but feel worried inwardly. This was a completely unexpected situation. The things he had done inside the Flare Realm had already been covered up previously.
If it was exposed now, the other Sects would never let him off either. They would very likely force the Bronze Sect to hand him over.
But before he was locked up, Chu Lingyuan had already departed, and Qing Cang showed no abnormalities. The Suppressing Hell King seemed not to have spoken of this matter.
But Qin Yun didn't believe the other party would let him off so simply.
He was perfectly aware of the situation within the Flare Realm. The Suppressing Hell King had been trapped inside for so long; how much torture had he endured?
If he could swallow this anger, he wouldn't be a Morning Star of the Royal Court.
"I must leave the Bronze Sect as soon as possible... Remnant Spirit..." His expression was Mercurial Mood, but what suffocated him the most was that due to the Suppressing Hell King's awakening, Chu Lingyuan had suddenly departed.
He had been stuffed deep into the Punishment Hall by Qing Cang, not even getting the chance to pass a message to "Su Chen."
The good relationship between Su Chen and Qing Cang was well-known to everyone. If the Remnant Spirit had put in a good word or two with Qing Cang regarding this matter, he perhaps wouldn't have been stuffed in here by Qing Cang to truly become a prisoner.
"Are they really going to force me to self-destruct..."
Involving his life, even now, Qin Yun was still very hesitant.
Just at this moment, the sound of footsteps came from outside. Qin Yun's eyes flickered. Nearly five months had passed since he was locked up here, and very few people came to see him.
The footsteps approached. The person who arrived before him was a broad-bodied, fat fellow with a smile on his face.
"Venerable Qin Yun." The other party bowed respectfully.
Qin Yun swept a glance over him. He was very unfamiliar; he had no impression of him. "Who are you?"
The other party introduced himself with a chuckle, "I am Zou Wen, a subordinate under the Giant Peak Head of Seat, He Chengying. I returned with the Head of Seat a while ago. It's perfectly normal that Venerable hasn't seen me."
As he spoke, his body emitted a strange ripple, faintly forming an invisible barrier outside of him and Qin Yun.
"He Chengying's man?" Qin Yun's eyes flickered. The Giant Peak Head of Seat, He Chengying, possessed no major family influence. He held down a region and possessed considerable strength.
Even at his peak, Qin Yun tried to avoid any friction with this guy.
"He has a message for me?" Qin Yun's tone was indifferent.
Zou Wen chuckled and shook his head. "You could say that."
You could say that? Qin Yun's expression stirred, but he heard Zou Wen continue: "I received news that the Suppressing Hell King seems to want to kill you, Venerable. The things you did inside the Flare Realm, Venerable, have etched themselves into his memory to this day."
A Sharp Gleam flickered in Qin Yun's eyes. "Whose man are you?"
A flash of surprise crossed Zou Wen's eyes, seemingly very astonished by Qin Yun's astuteness. He shook his head and said, "You don't need to care whose man I am..."
"Don't need to care?" Qin Yun sneered, interrupting him. "Since that's the case, then I'll just have to call people over. Harboring malicious intentions and lying dormant beside the Giant Peak Head of Seat, I see you're looking to die."
Zou Wen's expression stiffened. He said in a deep voice, "What does Venerable mean by this? How come I don't understand?"
Qin Yun sneered. "You understand better than anyone. This news hasn't spread yet, right? Otherwise, how could a guy like you be the one coming to pass a message to me, trying to incite a Morning Star to defect? Hehe..."
"If you truly don't understand, how about we call He Chengying over? To push you into this position, the people behind you probably paid quite a price, right?"
Evil Gods found it difficult to plant personnel within the Sects and the Royal Court. However, among themselves, the number of spies planted was not small.
Cold sweat instantly dripped down Zou Wen's forehead. To those higher-ups, these few words were enough to perceive something fishy; they fundamentally didn't need any more evidence.
"The Royal Court's man?" A flash of surprise crossed Qin Yun's eyes. If the Suppressing Hell King spoke of the matter and the Five Great Sects applied pressure jointly, he didn't believe Qing Cang or Chu Lingyuan would fight to the death to protect him. They would definitely hand him over.
Since that was the case, why did the Royal Court need to contact him secretly? Unless... the Royal Court didn't want to kill him.
"What message does the Suppressing Hell King have for me?" Qin Yun asked directly.
Zou Wen's heart leaped in shock. In order to get Qin Yun into their trap, they had prepared a very detailed plan, including using this news to make Qin Yun feel uneasy before slowly revealing the rest.
But the current situation truly exceeded his expectations. He could only say, "The Suppressing Hell King only wants to ask you, do you want to die or do you want to live?"
Qin Yun chose to Remain Noncommittal. "Continue..."
"If you want to die, then there's no need to say more. If you want to live, there is indeed a method," Zou Wen braced himself and said.
"After the leaders of the Five Great Sects conclude their dialogue with the Ancient Kings within the Flare, the Suppressing Hell King will launch an attack on Chu Lingyuan, using your matter to pressure him."
"At that time, the three Morning Stars—God-Defying King, King Peng, and Black Tortoise—will already be on their way to blockade the Bronze Sect."
"Chu Lingyuan won't fight to the death to protect me. What exactly do you want to do?" Qin Yun said in a deep voice.
Zou Wen took a deep breath and spat out two words: "Su Chen."
Qin Yun instantly understood. He was merely an opportunity. Whether Chu Lingyuan protected him or killed him, it was harmless; the fundamental objective was not him at all.
"To think the Royal Court is still thinking about Su Chen..." The corners of Qin Yun's mouth tugged upwards. That was truly... too wonderful.
It was truly A New Vista. Since the Remnant Spirit had broken its promise and betrayed his trust, then it couldn't blame him either.
Zou Wen said, "When the time comes, we will need you To coordinate from the inside and outside."
"Look at me like this. How am I supposed to coordinate from the inside and outside with you?" Qin Yun rattled his Chains.
Zou Wen explained, "The Bronze Sect's Crisis of the Flames has yet to be completely eradicated. It cannot supply energy for the Bronze Core; it can only rely on the power left behind by the Bronze Ancient King to maintain it. The three Morning Stars are also coming bearing the Royal Court's Foundation."
"The Suppressing Hell King will use the things you did in the Flare Realm as an excuse to delay the other Sects. Under this predicament, Qing Cang will not leave a combat force like you idle here."
"Heh..." Qin Yun suddenly laughed. They fundamentally didn't understand Qing Cang.
Qin Yun's ugly smile made Zou Wen somewhat apprehensive. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Qin Yun's expression suddenly turn stern.
In an instant, the barrier enveloping them was pierced. Qin Yun shouted in a deep voice: "Where is Wu Feng?!"
Zou Wen's expression changed in shock. In no more than a breath's time, the Master of the Punishment Hall, Wu Feng, appeared right there.
Qin Yun raised his hand and pointed at Zou Wen, his Chains rattling loudly. "This person is a Royal Court spy! He came intending to incite me to defect, and harbors malicious intent towards the Star Seed, Su Chen!"
Zou Wen's expression suddenly changed, becoming incomparably pale.
Wu Feng's expression turned cold, containing both Suspicion and killing intent. His hand already clamped down on Zou Wen's shoulder.
Unable to move, Zou Wen said in a trembling voice, "You... what exactly do you want to do?"
Zou Wen couldn't understand why Qin Yun had suddenly exposed his identity.
"I don't want to do anything..." Qin Yun lowered his eyes. "The Bronze Sect is the place where I was born and raised. My first wife is buried here. My sons... my grandsons... are all buried here! How could I watch as you subvert the Sect!"
...
"News from Chu Lingyuan. A few days ago, they already communicated with the Ancient Kings. The Suppressing Hell King wasn't lying. The Ancient Kings agreed on a schedule: one sacrifice every three months to report the recent situation to them."
In the Training Room, the Elemental Energy surrounding Su Chen gradually retracted. He looked at the message Qing Cang sent over. This matter concerned his plans, so he had naturally told Lao Qing to inform him the moment there was news.
"Finally verified."
Su Chen let out a long sigh of relief and pinched the Virtual Screen shut. With this, he could also proceed to the next step: the Radiant Moon Bone...